Scaffolding.



No. 644,327. Patented Feb. 27, I900.

L. L. KNOX.

SCAFFULDING.

iApplication filed May 8, 1899.!

(No Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

TH: NORRIS PETERS ca, PHQTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON, D. c.

P at ented Feb. 27, I900.

L. L. KNOX. SOAFFOLDING. (Application filed may 8, 1899.)

2 Sheets8hoet 2 (No Model.)

ATTORNEYS;

STATES P TEN LUTHER L. KNOX, OF PITTSBURG, PENN SYLVANIA.

SCAFFOLDlNG.

SFECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,327, dated February27, 1900.

Application filed May 8, 1899. Serial No. 715,942. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUTHER L. KNOX, a citi zen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inScaffolding, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inscaffolding, and it relates particularly to that class of scaffoldingemployed in the construction of chimneys, stacks, shafts of alldescriptions, and the like.

One object of the invention is to construct a scaffold that may besupported from the chimney, stack, shaft, or the like direct without anysupport from the ground. 7

A further object of the invention is to construct a scaffold of thischaracter having a traveling crane and a fall-line by means of which thematerial from which the chimney, stack, shaft, or the like is beingbuilt maybe elevated and swung to the desired position for securing.

A still further object is to provide means for adjusting the scaffold orelevatingv the same as the height of the chimney, stack, or shaftincreases, together with means for suspending the scaffold from the topof the chimney, stack, or shaft while the same is being elevated.

Briefly described, my invention consists of a series of brackets adaptedto be arranged circu mferentiall y around the stack or the like and eachof which carries an upright or standard which supports a channel-bar.Arranged above the series of channel-bars are a track and travelingcrane, to which the fall-line, by means of which the material is hoistedto position, is attached. Suspended from the channel-bars is a circulartrack,and from this circular track a carrier is suspended, by means ofwhich the material is carried around the shaft or other object to theposition desired. This latter carrier consists of atransversely-extending track having a buggy thereon, to

which is attached a snatch-block, grip, or they like, by means of whichthe material may, after having been moved around the stack or otherobject, be adjusted into position. The series of support-ing-brackctsare each provided with spring-actuated rollers adapted to contact withthe exterior of the stack or other object to permit the verticaladjustment of the brackets and allow the same to pass readily over theseams of the stack or over the rivets when the stack is being built ofsheetiron or the like. These brackets have the working platform arrangedthereon, and they are supported from a split band or ring attached tothe stack. When it is desired to adjust the scaffold, these brackets aredetached from the supporting band or ring and are connected to a seriesof clamps attached to the top of the stack or chimney, the said clampsbeing in turn connected by chains or cables to the fall-line in orderthat when the latter is operated the brackets and entire scaffold willbe elevated and when adjusted to the posit-ion desired are againsuspended from the band or ring which has previously been adjusted uponthe stack or chimney.

The various features of construction embodied in my invention by meansof which the objects sought are obtained will behereinafter morespecifically described and then particularly pointed out in the claims,and in describing the invention in detail reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification,and whereinlike numerals of reference indicate correspondin g parts throughout theseveral views, in which- Figure l is a Vertical sectional view of myimproved scaffold, showing the same suspended from the top of a stack,the latter being partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of astack, showing the clamps by means of which the scaffold is elevatedattached thereto. Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the brackets. Fig. 4is an edge view of the same. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detail plan views ofthe clamps which are attached to the top of a stack for elevating thescaffold. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the scaffold. Fig. 9 is asideview of a portion of the stack, showing the scaffold suspended therefromand partly broken away. Fig. 10 is a detail view ofa part of one of thechannel-bars, showing in section the adj usting means for the brackets.Fig. 11 is a detail view of a part of one of the channel-bars and theadjusting means for the brackets. Fig. 12 is a detail view of one of thesheave- 'or riveted to the stiffening-braces 15.

wheels. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the clamp which is attached tothe fall-line when it is desired to elevate the scaffold. Fig. let is atop plan view of the supplemental split band or ring for supporting thescaifold from the stack or the like.

Referring to the drawings by reference-n umerals, 1 indicates the stackof a chimney, which in the drawings has been shown as constructed ofsheet-iron or the like, being composed of a series of plates securelyriveted together in the usual manner. I have shown a stack of this form,as my invent-ion is par ticularly adapted to this class of Work, thoughit is applicable to all forms of stacks, chimneys, or thelike. For thepurpose of clearly illustrating the construction, however, I willdescribe the stack of this form, and I arrange around the same a seriesof brackets 2, as many of which may be employed as desired. Thesebrackets for cheapness in construction may be composed of ordinaryangle-iron and are somewhat triangular-shaped when viewed in sideelevation, the inner strips 3 being vertical and the outer strips tbeing at an angle of substantially fortyfive degrees at the bracketproper and from the top of the bracket extending upward vertically andforming a standard 5, from which the channel-bars 6 are supported. Onthe top of the bracket proper is arranged a wooden strip 7, to which theworking platform may be securely nailed.

Journaled between the two Vertical anglestrips 3 of each bracket is oneor more rollers 8, the shaft 9 of which operates in an oblong slot 10,provided in the strips 3, and which allows a lateral movement of theserollers and permits of the same readily passing over the seams or rivetsof the stack. The rollers are held in frictional contact with theexterior wall of the stack by means of the tensionsprings 11, which arearranged on rods 12, connected at one end to one of the angle-stripsfrom which the brackets are formed and at their other end operating in across-head 14, which abuts against the shaft 9 of the rollers. Thechannel-bars (J'extend radially from the central vertical line of thescaffold, and they may be connected together by stiffening-braces 15,formed of channel-bars or the like, riveted or firmly bolted thereto.Arranged above these channel-bars 6 is atrack 16, which is supportedeither by brackets 17 or in any suitable manner, and for making the samesecure the same is preferably bolted This trackacts as the cantaliverfor the fall-line and also constitutes a part of the traveling crane bymeans of which the material is moved toward the stack after having beenhoisted by the fall-line, and has arranged thereon a truck 18, to whichis connected an operatingchain 19, one end of said chain being connectedto either end of the track,and the endless chain thus formed operatingover sheavewheels 20 and 21, mounted on shafts 22 and 23, the formernear the free or extending end' of the track and the latter near therear end. A sheave-wheel 2a is also mounted upon the shaft 23 and isadapted to receive an endless cord, cable, or chain 25, which extendsdownwardly in close proximity to the working platform in order that theworkmen thereon can readily operate the truck or crane upon the track16. This truck or crane 18 carries a pulley 26 to receive the fall-line27, the said line also passing over the pulley or roller 28, arranged ona shaft 29, journaled in the tracks 16 at a point centrally of thescaffold, in order that the fall-line may extend downwardly through thestack 1 at a point at or near its center. This fall-line is adapted tobe operated from the ground by means of a Windlass (not shown) or in anyother suitable and well-known manner. Suspended from the channel-bars 6by brackets 30 or other suitable means is a circular track 31, which maybe formed of ordinary channel-iron, the said flanges thereof acting asthe rails of the track. Upon each of these rails is mounted a pair ofperipherally-grooved wheels or rollers 32, mounted on shafts 3 3, whichare journaled in hangers 3i. These hangers 3i are connected at theirlower ends to a transversely-extending platform 35, upon which aremounted track-rails 36 to receive the buggy 37. The ends of the rails 30are bent upwardly to form stops or buffers to limit the movement of thebuggy on the track and to retain the same thereon. Suspended from thisbuggy 37 is a snatch-block 38, carrying hooks to engage in the aperturesof the plate from which the stack is being constructed.

In order to support the scaffold from the stack while elevating thesame, I provide a series of clamps 39, adapted to fit over the top edgeof the stack and each connected to a central ring 40 by chains tl orother suitable means, which form a brace and prevent the slipping of anyof the clamps in case undue strain is brought to bear upon one of thesame. These clamps 39 each have a sheave wheel or pulley 42 journaledtherein to receive a hoisting cord, cable, or chain 43, the one end ofeach of these cords, chains, or cables carrying a hook -14 to engage ina U- shaped bolt 45, secured in the brackets 2, and the other end ofeach cord, chain, or cable being connected to a common clamp 46, whichis secured to the fall-line 27. This clamp may be of any desired form ofconstruction, though in Fig. 13 I illustrate one form which consists oftwo hinged sections, which are provided with the openings 4:6 in top andbottom and in the top with openings 46 for securing the lower ends ofthe cords or chains 43 to the clamp. The two sections are fastenedtogether when engaged on the fallline by a clasp 46 or other suit-ablemeans. The walls of the openings 40 are preferably serrated, so that theclamp will firmly engage the fall-line. When thus connected and thefall-line 27 is operated, it will be observed that the cords, chains, orcables 43 will elevate the scaffolding, and when raised to the desiredheight the brackets are supported from the exterior wall of the stack,as will now be described. For this purpose I provide a split band 46,preferably made in several sections, with the ends of each sectionflanged to receive securing-bolts 47. These sections carry staples 48,having chains 49 connected thereto, the other end of said chainscarrying a hook to engage in the U-shaped bolt 45 of the brackets. Whenthe scaffold has been suspended from the stack in this manner, the cordsor cables 43 are detached from the U-shaped bolts 45, the clamp 46detached from the fall-line, and these cords or cables 43, their clamp46, and the clamp 39, hung from the supporting-hook 51, secured in thestandards 5. Y

In order to make the support for the scaffold secure and not dependsolely upon the engagement of the sectional band with the stack, Iprovide U-shaped clamps or keepers 52, the ends of which arescrew-threaded and are inserted in rivet-holes left therefor whenriveting the sheets together. Nuts are placed upon these screw-threadedends to hold the keepers 52 in position, and when the scaffold is againsupported from the clamps 39 and cables or chains 43 these U-shapedkeepers are removed and the rivets then placed in position in these tworemaining apertures. I preferably provide two of these split bands inorder that one may be placed in position upon the last ring that hasbeen placed on the stack, thus permitting the ready attaching thereto ofthe platform when the scaffold is elevated, as heretofore described, bythe fall-line. The split band that was previously used may be detachedand placed upon the working platform and used for the succeeding tier. Ipreferably shield the workmen upon this working platform by providing aseries of ropes or cable 53, surrounding the standards 5 and connectedthereto for any desired distance above the platform, as shown in Fig. 1of the drawings.

In order to allow for the taper of the stack being constructed andpermit the brackets to remain in a vertical position, with their rollerscontacting with the exterior of the stack as the taper of the latterincreases, I provide adjusting means for these brackets, which consistsof a U shaped clamp-screw 54, bolted or riveted to the angle-strip fromwhich the standards 5 are formed and which engages the channel bars 6.This clamp 54 has threaded therein a rod 55, carrying a head 56 on itsinner end to engage the channel-bar 6 and lock the clampscrew inposition. Upon the outer end of the rod is mounted a sheavewheel 57,operated by an endless chain 58, extending down in close proximity tothe working platform, so that the clampscrew may be readily loosened ortightened by the workmen thereon. When loosened, the clampscrcw 54 isadjusted longitudinally of the channel-bar 6 by the adj Listing-screw59, operating in a bracket 60, secured to the channel bars 6 and throughthe vertical standards 5. This screw 59 has a sheave 61 mounted on itsouter end and is operated by an endless chain 62, which hangs downwardlysome distance outside of the working platform, where it may be readilyengaged and operated by the workmen.

The snatch-block or other supporting device which is suspended from thebuggy 37 may be employed after the plate or sheet is placed in positionfor suspending the riveter, which maybe moved around the stack asoocasion demands.

The operation of the device is as follows: We will assume that thescaffold has been secured to or is suspended from the stack 1 in themanner shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. It will be observed in this Viewthat the split band 46 is placed on the stack a slight distance belowthe top of the last tier in order that when the sheets of the succeedingtier are elevated to position clearance enough is provided for rivetingthe sheets in position. The plate or sheet is elevated by attachingthereto a fall-line 27 and operating the said fall-line by Windlass orother suitable means until such time as the plate or sheet has beenelevated to a point opposite the snatch-block or other suspending devicewhich is carried by the buggy 37. When the plate or sheet has beenelevated to this height, the workman operates the endless eord, chain,or cable 25, thereby moving the truck 18 toward the rear end of itstrack and bringing the plate or sheet over into position where it may beengaged by the device suspended from the buggy 37 and the fall-linedetached therefrom. When thus suspended from the buggy 37, it may bemoved around upon the circular track 31 to the position desired on thestack and securely riveted. When all the plates or sheets forming onetier have thus been placed in position, the supplemental split band 46,which, as heretofore stated, is usually kept on the working platform, isplaced in the same relative position upon the last ring added to thestack as the band 46 occu pies upon the preceding tier. The clamps 39are then placed in position upon the stack, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, the clamp 46 is attached to the fall-line, and the ends ofthe cords or cables 43 are connected to the U-shaped bolts 45 of thebrackets. Upon elevating the fall-line when these cords or cables are soattached the chains 49 may be detached from the U-shaped bolts 45 andthe entire scaffold elevated to a position where the chains 49 on theupper split band may then be attached to the U-shaped bolts 45, whichWill again suspend the scaffold from the stack in the manner shown inFig. 9. The cords or cables 43, the clamp 46', and the clamps 39 arethen detached and hung upon their supportinghooks 51, and the scaffoldis again in position to place another ring or tier upon the stack. Thisoperation is carried out until the stack is completed.

The means by which the brackets or stand? ards are adjusted, so as to atall times have the same in a vertical position, will, it is thought, bereadily apparent from the foregoing description of these parts.

A cage 63 is suspended from the cords or cables 64, attached to thechannel-bars 6. This cage is used by the riveter on the inside of thestack or chimney, and it may be so arranged with block and tackle as tobe adjustable by the workmen as desired.

If desired, I may dispense with the cords or cables 43 and elevate thescaffold by ordinary hoisting blocks and clamps connected direct to thebolts 39, carried by the clamps 39, and to the U-shaped bolts 45. Thesehoists, it will be observed, may readily be operated by the workmen fromthe working platform.

- It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a scafiold, the combination with a series of brackets and verticalstandards, of a support connected to each of said standards, a circulartrack suspended from the said supports, and means for supporting saidscaffold from the exterior of a stack or the like, substantially asdescribed.

2. In combination with a stack or like structure, a series of bracketscarrying spring-actuated friction-rollers arranged circumferentiallyaround said structure, a working platform arranged on said brackets, andmeans for supporting the brackets and platform from the exterior of thestructure, substantially as described.

3'. In combination with a stack or like structure, a series ofsupporting-brackets and a working platform, a traveling crane supportedby said brackets, a fall-line connected to said crane, means supportedby the brackets for adjusting the material after disengagement from thefall-line, and means for supporting said brackets directly from thestack or like structure, substantially as described.

at. In a scaffold adapted for constructing stacks, chimneys and thelike, the combination of a series of brackets with a working platformthereon, a crane supported from the brackets, a circulartrack and atransverse track supported from the circular track, a fall-linesupported from the crane, means capable of being connected to saidfall-line for elevating the scaffold, and means supported direct fromthe stack or chimney for supporting the scaffold, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a scaffold of the class described, a series of supporting-bracketswith a working platform thereon, spring-actuated frictionthe workingplatform and to the stack or chimney for supporting the Working platformdirect therefrom, substantially as described.

7. In a scaffold, the combination with a stack or like structure, of aseries of brackets and means for adjusting said brackets to the exteriorof the stack or like structure, means capable of being connected to thestack or like structure and to the brackets for adjusting the lattervertically, and means connected to and supported direct from the stackfor supporting the brackets, substantially as described.

8. In a scaffold, the combination with a stack or like structure, of aseries of brackets arranged around said stack or like structure andsupported direct therefrom, a working platform arranged on the brackets,springpressed rollers carried by the brackets, and means connected tothe brackets and to the stack or like structure for elevating thebrackets and working platform, substantially as described.

9. In combination, a series of brackets carryin g a working platform, acrane, a fallline, a circular track, a buggy or carrier travelingthereon, means for adjusting the brackets vertically, and means forsupporting the same direct from a stack or like structure, substantiallyas described.

10. In a scafiold, the combination with a series of supporting-bracketscarrying a series of spring-actuated frictionrollers, a Working platformarranged on the said brackets, of a crane and fall-line, and meansconnected to the working platform and to a stack or like structure forsupporting the Working platform, substantially as set forth.

11. In a scaffold, the combination with a working platform arrangedaround a stack or like structure, of a crane and fall-line, meanscapable of being connected to the fall-line and structure for elevatingthe working platform, means for supporting the platform when not in usefrom the top of the structure, and separate means for supporting theplatform when in use from the exterior of the structure, substantiallyasdescribed.

12. In a scaffold, the combination of the supports with the workingplatform thereon, of the standards carried by said supports, barssupported from said standards, a circular track supported from saidbars, a transversely-extending track supported from said circular track,and means connected to the working platform and to a stack or likestructure for supporting the working platform therefrom, substantiallyas described.

13. In a scaffold, the combination of a working platform, a crane and afall-line, a circular track and a transversely-extending track supportedtherefrom, a buggy or carriersupported from said transverselyextendingtrack, means connected to the working platform and to a stack or likestructure for supporting the platform therefrom, and means for adjustingsaid platform vertically, substantially as described.

14. In a scaffold, the combination of a working platform, a crane and afall-line, a carrier supported on said crane and means for operatingsaid carrier, a circular track supported below the crane, and atransverselyextending track supported from said circular track andadapted to travel thereon, and means connected to the working platformand to a stack or like structure for supporting the platform therefrom,substantially as described.

15. In combination with a stack or like structure, a working platform, acrane and a fall-line, a traveling carrier arranged on said crane, meansfor operating said carrier, and means connected to the structure for supporting the working platform therefrom, substantially as described.

16. An adjustable scaffold comprising a series of supporting-bracketswith a working platform arranged thereon, spring-actuatedfriction-rollers j ournaled in an oblong slot arranged in the saidbrackets, and means connected to a stack or like structure forsupporting the said brackets and platform, substantially as set forth.

17. In a scaffold, the combination witha series of brackets,spring-actuated friction-rollers mounted therein, a vertical standardcarried by each of the said brackets, of a support connected to each ofthe said standards, a circular track suspended from the said supports,and means for supporting the said brackets from the exterior of a stackor the like, substantially as set forth.

18. In a scaffold, the combination of a series of supporting-bracketsarranged circumferentially of a stack or chimney, spring-actuatedfriction -rollers mounted therein, a working platform secured to thesaid brackets, a crane and a fall-line, means capable of being connectedto the fall-line and to the stack or chimney for.elevating the bracketsand working platform, and means connected to the said brackets and tothe stack or chimney for supporting the brackets directly therefrom,substantially as described.

19. In a scafiold, the combination of a series of brackets arrangedcircumferentially of a stack or like structure, spring-actuatedfriction-rollers arranged therein, a working platform secured to thesaid brackets, standards carried by the said brackets, bars supportedthereby, a circular track supported from the said bars, atransversely-extending track supported from said circular track, meansfor supporting the said platform when not in use from the top of thesaid structure, and separate means for supporting the platform when inuse from the exterior of the structure, substantially as described.

20. In a scaffold, the combination of a series of brackets arrangedcircumferentially of a stack or like structure, spring-actuatedfriction-rollers arranged therein a working platform secured to the saidbrackets, standards carried by the said brackets, bars sup portedthereby, a circular track supported from the said bars, atransversely-extending track supported from said circular track, meansfor supporting the said platform when not in use from the top of thesaid structure, separate means for supporting the said platform when inuse from the exterior of the structure, and means for adjusting the saidbrackets and platform Vertically, substantially as set forth.

21. In combination with a stack or like structure, a series ofsupporting-brackets arranged circumferentially thereof and carryin g aworking platform, spring-actuated friction-rollers mounted in the saidbrackets adapted to engage the said stack or structure, a crane and afall-line, a traveling carrier arranged on said crane, means foroperating said carrier, and means connected to the stack or structurefor supporting the said brackets and platform, substantially asdescribed.

22. In combination with a stack or like structure, a series ofsupporting-brackets arranged circumferentially thereof and carrying aworking platform, spring-actuated friction rollers mounted in the saidbrackets adapted to engage the said stack or structure, a crane and afall-line, a traveling carrier arranged on said crane, means foroperating said carrier, means connected to the exterior of the stack orstructure for supporting the said brackets and platform when in use,separate means for supporting the brackets and platform when not in usefrom the top of the stack or structure, and means for adjusting thebrackets and platform vertically, substantial] y as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

I LUTHER L. KNOX.

Witnesses: JOHN NoLAND, E. W. ARTHUR.

